ARTICLES ABOUT EMBEZZLEMENT BY DATE - PAGE 2

PETOSKEY - A 58-year-old Alanson woman accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from Fisher Plumbing and Heating where she worked as a bookkeeper appeared in Emmet County's 90th District Court last week for a preliminary hearing and her case has been bound over to circuit court, said Emmet County prosecutor Jim Linderman. The Emmet County Sheriff's Office arrested Deborah Lynn Bricker earlier this year. Court records show she faces one count of criminal enterprises - conducting, and one count of criminal enterprises - conspiracy, both of which are felonies with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or $100,000; one count of embezzlement - $100,000 or more, a felony with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or a fine up to $50,000, or three times the amount embezzled, whichever is greater; and one count of using computers to commit a crime, a felony with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or $20,000.

I have written about the subject of embezzlement before, and would now like to share some of the frightening numbers. Let me present the sad statistics which continue unchecked throughout the business community. If you believe it can't happen to your business, read on. “The 2011 Marquet Report on Embezzlement” includes an analysis of recent embezzlement cases in the United States. The following statistics are highlights from the report: - Vermont had the highest “Embezzlement Propensity Factor,” followed by Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Montana, Virginia, Iowa and Idaho - identifying these states as having the highest risk for loss to embezzlement in 2011 - the financial services industry (banks)

PETOSKEY - Emmet County's 57th Circuit Court Judge Charles Johnson sentenced a Petoskey woman on Monday to serve time in jail for embezzling from Jensen's Animal Hospital where she worked as a receptionist. Pamela Ann Lauer, 54, who was arrested last year following a Michigan State Police investigation, previously pleaded no contest to one count of embezzlement - agent or trustee, $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, in circuit court. A second felony count of using computers to commit a crime was dismissed.

PETOSKEY - An Alanson woman accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from her employer was arraigned in Emmet County's 90th District Court April 12 and is set for a preliminary hearing in May, court records show. During her arraignment, Deborah Lynn Bricker, 58, waived her right to have a preliminary hearing within 14 days and is scheduled to return to court for it May 9. Police allege Bricker embezzled more than $100,000 from Fisher Plumbing and Heating where she worked as a bookkeeper and used the money to purchase heated jackets for herself and family members, carpeting for her home and to pay personal bills, among other things.

CHARLEVOIX - A judge has sentenced the former principal of St. Mary School in Charlevoix to spend the next year in jail for embezzling thousands from the school's coffers. Under the state's sentencing guidelines, it was the maximum sentence available to Otsego County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Murphy (sitting in for Charlevoix County Circuit Court Judge Richard M. Pajtas) today, Tuesday, when he sentenced Keisha Veryser, 36, of Hayes Township on two counts of embezzlement, $1,000-$20,000, a five-year felony.

PETOSKEY - A 38-year-old Harbor Springs woman who, Michigan State Police say embezzled more than $1,000 from White Pines Electric for which she was a bookkeeper, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of embezzlement $200 or more, but less than $1,000, court records show. Holly Marie Krasiejko entered her plea in Emmet County's 90th District Court during her preliminary hearing Wednesday. Her sentence has been delayed nine months, during which time she will be on probation and if she abides by the terms set forth the charge will be dismissed, district court administrator Lisa Smith explained.

BOYNE CITY - A former Boyne City firefighter faces felony criminal charges for allegedly stealing nearly $30,000 in taxpayer dollars with a city fuel card. Authorities filed embezzlement and theft with a financial device charges last month against Derby Arly Hayden IV, 32, of Boyne City, after an investigation that uncovered unauthorized fuel purchases that date back more than three years. He faces up to 10 years in prison and fines up to three times the amount embezzled, if convicted.

PETOSKEY -- A Petoskey woman who was arrested last year for allegedly embezzling from Jensen's Animal Hospital where she worked as a receptionist at the time has pleaded no contest to one of the felony counts against her, court records show. Pamela Ann Lauer, 54, pleaded no contest because of civil liability to one count of embezzlement -- agent or trustee, $1,000 or more but less than $20,000, in Emmet County's 57th Circuit Court, according to court records. A second felony count of using computers to commit a crime was dismissed.

CHARLEVOIX - The former principal of St. Mary's School who was accused of embezzling thousands from the school took advantage of a plea agreement in the criminal case against her today, Friday. Keisha Veryser, 36, of Hayes Township today pleaded guilty to two counts of embezzlement, $1,000-$20,000, a five-year felony. In exchange for her pleas, three more identical charges and two counts of perjury in a non-court proceeding will be dismissed. Another part of the plea agreement with the Charlevoix County Prosecutor's office is that she agrees to a restitution amount of $75,000, with $37,500 to be paid at the time of sentencing.